Abstract

Studies of the carbon and nitrogen abundances in metal poor giants have generally supported the models of Sweigart and Mengel (1979) which indicate the action of meridional circulation in CN-processing metal poor red giant envelopes. Carbon et al. (1982) find the trends in the carbon and nitrogen abundances in M 92 stars to be at least qualitatively consistent with CN-cycle processing of the envelope, but stars at all phases of giant branch evolution have unusual, and unexplained, carbon and nitrogen abundances. The oxygen abundance is the missing piece of information which may explain what’s going on. Sweigart and Mengel’s models suggest that ON-processing might also occur in the most metal poor giants. The sample of giants in M 92 for which Carbon et al. have provided carbon and nitrogen abundances is ideal for the determination of oxygen abundances to look for the effects of ON-processing. Once the oxygen abundances are known, the sum C+N+0 can be computed to see if it is constant along the giant branch or varies from star to star.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.